Funding for Glangevlin and for Blacklion Dowra Road welcome – Feeley
Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has welcomed the allocation
of € 420,000 to complete two projects in under the 2013 Road Works
Programme in Glangevlin and on the Blacklion- Dowra Road.
‘The inclusion of these allocation in this year’s allocation will
allow the Council to complete further, and much needed works on these
two very busy regional roads. It is welcome and long over-due.
The Dowra-Blacklion Road, the R207 carries a high volume of traffic
linking with the N16 and leading on from Dowra to Drumkeerin or
Drumshanbo. It has benefitted from some significant investment in
recent years.
‘I have consistently sought additional funding to upgrade this road.
There are a number of blind junctions and dangerous turns and this
allocation will allow some of these to be addressed and also work on
areas where the surface has deteriorated. The allocation of € 300,000
will allow a reasonable amount of work to be completed in 2013.’
In Glangevlin €120,000 will be provided for works in and around the
village, again improving drainage, improving signage and completing
other works in the area.
‘This work is long awaited and will address some on-going problems
including village signage and there works.’
Noting the work of local engineer, Derry Scanlon, Overseer Tom Joe
McGoldrick and local staff, Councillor Feeley stated that despite the
reclining number of Council Staff locally there continues to be a
significant amount of work done locally despite a cut of over 8% in
the allocations from Central Government for the 2013.
Category Archives: Press Releases
Blacklion’s Cathal Bui Plaque Stolen
Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has condemned the stealing of
the Cathal Bui Stone from Lough MacNean Park, Blacklion. The
commemorative plaque was stolen in the days prior to the 21st January
2013 and anyone with information should contact An Garda Siochana,
Ballyconnell or Blacklion.
‘I was shocked to find the commemorative plaque had been stolen from
Lough MacNean Park. I was out with Council officials reviewing other
potential projects when we discovered the vandalised stone. It is sad
that something put in place to mark our history and culture has been
defaced and stolen. I appeal to anyone with information to come
forward to the Gardai so that it can be restored.’
The plaque, unveiled by President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh in 1975 on the
Shores of Lough MacNean to the memory of poet Cathal Bui Mac Ghilla
Chuna and depicts an upturned, Yellow Bittern; the dead bird was the
subject of the poem An Bonnán Bui. Cathal Bui’s burial place is
unknown and he is reputed to have lived in the late years of the 17th
Century and the early years of the 18th Century. Little survives of
his writings. His writings and life are commemorated annually in the
Cathal Bui Festival in Blacklion/Belcoo each July.
‘The local community are always working to enhance the community and
improve the area for themselves and visitors as part of the Geopark in
conjunction with Cavan County Council and other agencies. This kind of
incident is disheartening. It will be a challenge to have something of
this type replaced. It is shocking that this plaque has been
destroyed.’
Closure of Ulster Branches a slash and burn policy
Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley called on the Management of
Ulster Bank not to proceed with plans to close branches in Belturbet,
Swanlinbar, Killeshandra and across the region.
‘The decision announced in recent days is a devastating blow to
communities across the region and will have a serious impact on
customers especially those in business. Business is difficult; banks
that have been bailed out by the taxpayer have an obligation to now
stand behind small business and ordinary customers. This news is
another blow to rural communities and small towns across this county
and region.
Ulster Bank announced plans to close twenty two branches, three of the
five main branches south of the Border are to be in County Cavan which
will close along with the sub-office in Swanlinbar.
‘I am disappointed with this news. I have already heard from numerous
business people and bank customers who are shocked and saddened by
this news. This will also threaten the future of the ATM machines in
each of these towns. In addition to making life difficult for
customers it will also take away the ability of those visiting towns
like Belturbet and Killeshandra to access their own money from ATMs.’
Councillor Feeley stated that he has already placed this item on the
Agenda of Cavan County Council so that the County Council can make the
view of the County Council clear to the Management of Ulster Bank. He
called on the Management of Ulster Bank to meet with representatives
of the local community both business people and local public
representatives.
Concluding Councillor Feeley stated that many people were seriously
affected, ‘bank customers, tourists, bank staff are all going to
suffer as a result of this announcement. Many towns will now be left
with no bank whatsoever; it is a slash and burn policy, yet more bad
news for rural Ireland.’
Dowra Courthouse restoration commenced
Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has welcomed the commencement
of work on Dowra Courthouse. The main contractors moved in to commence
work on the site in December 2012 and significant progress has already
made on the building.
‘I, and the local community are very pleased to see the long awaited
work on Dowra Courthouse underway. It is the most significant building
in the village and the fact that it has lain ideal and semi-derelict
for so long made a very poor impression on visitors to the area. This
work will give back the Courthouse as a vocal point in the village and
I warmly welcome the commencement of work.’
The former Courthouse and Garda Station had fallen into poor condition
and unsuitable for any use in recent years. The main contract
undertaken by Sean Quigley Contractors will see almost € 320,000 spend
on the building. Work will include the restoration of the main
Courthouse building, the demolition of storage buildings in the
Courtyard and the development of the area as open space, the provision
of an external glazed link corridor to the rear, internal lift, new
storage facilities and other works which will allow for the modern use
of the property whilst respecting the character of the building.
‘The signing of the Contract is to be formally noted by the County
Council at our January meeting (today 14th January 2013). Cavan
County Council through Head of Community and Enterprise, Paddy
Connaughton has taken the lead in the implementation of the project
and I want to acknowledge the work of the Council Staff and wish them
and the contractors well in bringing the construction phase of this
project to a successful conclusion.’
The overall cost of the project is estimated to be in the region of €
400,000 with funding secured from INTEREG 4A as part of the Harnessing
Natural Resources Project, funding a number of initiatives in Counties
Cavan, Leitrim and Fermanagh. Dowra Courthouse is the largest single
project in any of the Counties. The overall project is administered by
Cavan County Enterprise Board under the leadership of CEO, Vincent
Reynolds who played a key role in securing the funds which are matched
with 12.5% funding from the Government of Ireland and the Stormont
Executive. The funding from the Government of Ireland was secured by
then Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith TD.